Does your little one have a red spot on their body? It could be a hemangioma!

Have you ever noticed that sometimes, especially in young babies, there are small red, sometimes purple bumps on their bodies? In some people, these can even appear brown. Today we are going to talk about something like this. In medical terms, we call this a hemangioma. Don't worry, let's talk about this simply.

What is a hemangioma? Simply put...

Simply put, a hemangioma is a cluster of blood vessels in our body that form a small ball-like mass. These can sometimes be present at birth. Or they can appear during childhood, that is, during infancy. Sometimes, these can also occur after we grow up.

Did you know that these hemangiomas are most often seen in young babies ? Roughly speaking, about one in ten babies born may have them. But adults can develop them too. In fact, about three-quarters of people over the age of 75 have a type called ``Cherry Hemangioma.''

Is this hemangioma a cancer?

This is a problem for many people. Hemangioma is not cancer . We call these benign tumors . They do not spread to other parts of the body. Also, the chance of them becoming malignant is very, very low, which means it is very rare . So don't be unnecessarily scared.

What are the main types of hemangioma?

There are two main types of hemangiomas. Let's see what they are:

1. Capillary Hemangioma: These occur in the upper layers of our skin.

• Infantile Hemangioma: These are common in young babies. Some people also call them ``Strawberry Hemangioma'' because they look like a strawberry.
• Cherry Hemangioma: These are common among adults, especially those over the age of 75.

2. Cavernous Hemangioma: These develop in the deeper layers of the skin. They are most often seen around the eyes. If they develop around the eyes, they can sometimes affect the development or function of the eye. Therefore, there is a possibility of eye-related diseases such as `(Amblyopia)` (lazy eye), `(Glaucoma)` (glaucoma), `(Cataracts)` (cataracts).

Is Hemangioma dangerous?

Hemangioma is usually not dangerous. However, if they form in a critical location, such as an organ, they can damage the surrounding tissues. That's when they become dangerous. How dangerous they are depends on where they are located.

What are the symptoms of Hemangioma?

Hemangiomas can develop anywhere on the body, but they are most often found on the head or neck . They are most visible when they are on the skin. However, they can also sometimes develop on mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth and on the tongue. Another surprising fact is that they can develop inside the body, without us even knowing it, without causing any symptoms. The most common place where they develop inside the body is the liver.

If you have a hemangioma on your skin, it may look like this:

• It may look like a raised bump on the skin , or like a water-filled blister.
• For someone with light skin, the spots can range from bright red to purple . For someone with dark skin, the spots can be brown. But sometimes, the deeper spots can be a bit blue.
• It can usually range from about an inch (0.64 cm) to about two inches (5.1 cm) wide.
• Although it often appears as a single lump, it can sometimes appear in clusters or be more widespread.

Hemangioma is usually not painful . However, some factors can cause pain. One is where it is located. If it is a large hemangioma, it can be painful if it is located in a confined area. Also, if a hemangioma on the skin is injured or bruised, it can be painful. Most hemangiomas do not bleed without injury .

Stages of Infantile Hemangioma

Infantile Hemangioma, which develops after birth, has two main stages. Let's take a look at what they are:

1. Proliferation phase (first stage): During this period, the hemangioma grows very rapidly . This stage usually occurs in babies within the first 12 months of life. Imagine, what used to be a small spot gradually gets bigger.

2. Involution (stage 2): During this stage, the hemangioma gradually begins to shrink and become smaller . This usually begins between the ages of 12 and 18 months. This stage can take years to complete. About half of all babies will complete this stage by the age of 5. In about nine out of ten, it will disappear completely by the age of 9.

When the involution phase is over, the hemangioma will disappear. Sometimes it will disappear without any signs. However, sometimes a small scar or skin discoloration may remain where the hemangioma was.

Whether or not a congenital hemangioma will go away depends on its pattern. These patterns are:

• Rapidly Involuting: These disappear quickly.
• Noninvoluting: These do not disappear.
• Partially Involuting: These do not disappear completely, only a part of them disappears.

What causes Hemangioma?

Hemangiomas are caused by blood vessels clumping together and growing abnormally. But experts still don't have a clear idea of ​​exactly what causes them and how they form .

What are the risk factors?

There are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing hemangioma:

• Age: These are usually more common in newborns and infants, especially babies between 2 weeks and 2 months old.
• Development at birth: About one in five babies born prematurely may develop a hemangioma.
• Gender: Girls are about four times more likely to develop these.
• Skin color: Hemangioma is more common in people with light skin.
• Other health problems: Some medical conditions can cause hemangiomas, such as PHACE syndrome or Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Complications that may occur due to Hemangioma

Hemangiomas usually do not cause complications, but if they develop in a critical location, they can cause problems . Some examples are:

• Around the eyes: Hemangiomas that form around the eyes can cause pressure and damage to the delicate tissues of the eye.
• Chin and neck: Hemangiomas that develop on the lower face and neck can compress important structures like the windpipe, causing difficulty breathing.
• Spinal cord: If hemangiomas form in certain areas of the spine, they can compress and damage the spinal cord.
• Internal organs: If there are large hemangiomas inside the body, or if there are many of them, they can interfere with the functioning of internal organs or even cause damage.

How do doctors diagnose hemangioma?

Hemangiomas, especially those on the skin, are often easy to spot . Doctors can see them even during a routine physical exam.

Doctors can examine hemangiomas using simple equipment such as an ultrasound. This test is especially useful for hemangiomas, because they have blood flowing through them. Sometimes a biopsy, which involves taking a piece of tissue, can be done, but it is not always necessary.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend another imaging test, such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). These scans can look for hidden risks that are not visible to the naked eye. Blood tests or genetic tests can also help your doctor diagnose a hemangioma and rule out other conditions. Your doctor will tell you more about the tests that are appropriate for your condition.

How is Hemangioma treated?

Hemangiomas can be treated , but most of the time they don't need treatment. Since infantile hemangiomas often go away on their own, your doctor may recommend monitoring only.

Some reasons why hemangioma may require treatment include:

• Location: Especially for hemangiomas located in areas where they can damage surrounding tissues or structures.
• Size: Large hemangiomas may require removal and treatment to repair the area.
• Appearance: Many people want to remove hemangiomas in areas such as the face and head because of their appearance.
• Residual effects: Even if the hemangioma is not treated directly, there may be tissue changes left where it was. Treatment may be needed to correct them.
• Damage to hemangioma: When they bleed, proper wound care is very important for hemangioma healing.

There are several ways to treat hemangioma:

• Beta-blockers: Medications such as propranolol are the first-line treatment. These can shrink hemangiomas when they are in the proliferative phase. They are available as oral tablets or topical creams.
• Corticosteroids: These medications are given as a topical cream or injection. They can also shrink hemangiomas.
• Laser Treatments: Laser treatments can be used to stop hemangiomas from growing or shrink them. Lasers can also reduce skin discoloration and make hemangiomas less visible.
• Cutting off the blood supply: Doctors can cut off the blood supply to a hemangioma using procedures such as sclerotherapy or embolization.
• Surgery: Large or deep hemangiomas can be removed surgically. Surgery can also be performed to repair damage or changes caused by a hemangioma.

Cherry hemangiomas, which are common in people over the age of 75, usually do not require treatment. However, if they are causing you any problems, your primary care provider may refer you to a dermatologist.

When should I see a doctor about my hemangioma?

If your hemangioma shows any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately:

• If the color changes
• If the cut is bleeding
• If your eyes are close-set
• If it develops around the mouth, chin, or throat

Remember, it is very important to seek medical advice immediately if you notice a change like this.

What happens if I have a hemangioma?

What happens if you have a hemangioma depends on the type, where it is, and how long you have had it. Usually, hemangiomas are not dangerous, unless they develop in specific areas. Most hemangiomas shrink and disappear on their own over time. But if your child needs treatment for a hemangioma, there are several treatments that can help.

If your child has a hemangioma and you have questions about how it might affect them, don't worry, there is someone who can help. Your child's pediatrician can help you understand this, guide you on what you can and should do. They can also help you calm down and ease your fears.

What is the difference between a hemangioma and a birthmark?

A hemangioma is a type of vascular birthmark . This means that they are formed from blood vessels. Birthmarks can be vascular or pigmented (like a mole).

If your child has a hemangioma, it's normal to feel anxious and scared, especially until you know exactly what it is. Even after receiving a diagnosis, the uncertainty about how it will affect your child can be overwhelming. But you don't have to face these questions alone. Talking to your child's pediatrician is the first step to finding answers. He or she can put your mind at ease and explain what you need to know to help your child.

Take-Home Message: The most important things we need to remember

Okay, so let's remember these points as a summary of the Hemangioma we talked about:

• Hemangioma is a collection of blood vessels that is often innocent, non-cancerous .
• Most infantile hemangiomas shrink and disappear on their own over time .
• Some hemangiomas may require treatment, especially depending on their location, size, or complications .
• If you notice any changes in your child's hemangioma (color change, bleeding, rapid growth), seek medical advice immediately .
• Never be afraid to be alone. Talk to your doctor, especially your pediatrician, and ask all your questions. They will give you the support and guidance you need.

Remember, awareness is the best defense. It's worth taking care of your little one's health.

` Hemangioma, skin spots, baby spots, red spots, blood vessel tumors, pediatric diseases, skin diseases